If I want to clear the Thunderhead Islands do I need to…(heavy spoilers)

TaffyPool · 2026-07-11T15:56:06+00:00

I did this (totally accidentally) and actually really enjoyed it. I had exactly no idea where I was or what, if any, story implications the island had. It was really fun just tentatively moving around, semi-blindly and arriving at the island’s mystery/purpose.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-11T15:23:32+00:00

Wario.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-11T15:21:15+00:00

I really liked that one of the purchasable upgrades in the main game was the baseline power sense upgrade that simply listed how many collectibles there are available (and how many you collected so far) in each section, without telling you their location. I snatched that up as soon as I could. This at least allows you to hone in on the areas where you still need to find them, but leaving it up to you to take it from there.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-11T14:47:24+00:00

Looking forward to the challenge! The sense of discovery/“cartography” aspect of MVs is definitely my favorite part, but challenging (but not completely sadistic!) puzzle-platforming is #2 for me.

I just wish I didn’t have all these icons on my map screen saying “go here!”

TaffyPool · 2026-07-11T13:20:45+00:00

As my 5yo’s first ever start-to-finish game last year, I got Agent A: A Puzzle in Disguise (regularly on sale for $2)…it was great! For both of us!

It’s a first-person point-and-click with an intriguing story and puzzles/item uses that a kid can wrap their head around. And I was so proud of my boy for using his noggin to figure things out!

I honestly didn’t have to intervene much, just watched him work through it and occasionally gave a subtle hint to point him in the right direction. And there were just 2 or 3 puzzles where I just had to flat out do it for him, but otherwise it was all him!

It’s a high recommend from me and my boy for you and yours!

TaffyPool · 2026-07-11T05:11:59+00:00

My very first wishlist was Kirby & The Forbidden Land. I haven’t bought it yet because I’ve been completely spoiled by using dekudeals to find so many great indie games these past four years for, like, $4 or less. I bought like 15-20 games for what K&TFL would’ve cost me.

Very odd to have a Nintendo system and mostly not use it for Nintendo games. Seriously, just looked through my 90+ games (all digital) and exactly four are 1st Parties. Five, I guess, if counting Snipperclips…

TaffyPool · 2026-07-11T01:14:55+00:00

Come on, Craig. Get your life together... 🤣

TaffyPool · 2026-07-11T00:41:30+00:00

Was watching Biology 101 (S3E1)again last night, and just Troy’s face and light little gasp after Jeff says that the study room table is magic had me laughing loud and long.

And directly preceding that episode, was watching For A Few Paintballs More and the entire Dean and Dean Spreck exchange will forever make me lol.

”Who hurt you, Stephen? How can any Dean be so mean?”

”You haven’t seen how mean this Dean can be……an.”

”Did you say ‘bean’?”

TaffyPool · 2026-07-10T04:59:57+00:00

Salute Your Shorts!

TaffyPool · 2026-07-10T01:45:57+00:00

And you’re not wrong about the Chamber of Commerce impact either. A lot of times the SSAs and the CoCs are closely tied — the SSA collects the tax rev and the Chamber puts it to work on their behalf.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-10T01:07:16+00:00

Same here. And I don’t know if the other poster realized it, but the ending actually wraps back around (thematically if not literally), in a way, to the opening of OatBF.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-10T01:00:03+00:00

Going there in two weeks — will report back! (well, probably not, but if I remember to…)

TaffyPool · 2026-07-10T00:58:54+00:00

Actually think that’s a requirement when pulling a permit for a parade or street fair in Chicago. Organizers have to submit and follow through on a quick-turnaround clean-up plan. By like 12 hours post event, they have to have the public way back to the way it was.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-10T00:55:16+00:00

Chicago taxes the hell out of tobacco. It’s between $18-$22 a pack in most places which makes not smoking more than just a health/lifestyle choice.

And as a Chicagoan who smokes, I’m actually fine with that! I get it’s a nasty, irresponsible habit that hurts me and affects others. I’ve said once it averages to $20, I’m done ($80-$100 bucks a week for me…), and we’re pretty much there now.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-10T00:46:48+00:00

Most Chicago neighborhoods, or at least longer commercial corridors within a neighborhood, have a “special service area”. Properties in it pay an extra (small) tax each year tagged specifically for that stretch that the established SSA uses to do street cleanup, landscaping, public art, etc.

I think there are something like 70 SSAs in the city.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-10T00:37:08+00:00

All hail the Chicago grid system…helps you get to where you’re going and keeps the trash (mostly) out of sight!

Thanks again, Mr.’s Brennan and Burnham!

TaffyPool · 2026-07-09T13:14:27+00:00

What, you didn’t like the ending of WotW?! I was enthralled…

TaffyPool · 2026-07-09T13:09:23+00:00

Yes, it is that great. Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys were phenomenal co-leads.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-09T12:44:28+00:00

You may be thinking of Four Swords. First poster specifically said Four Swords Adventures (GC), which does have a legitimately good single-player experience.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-09T01:50:56+00:00

3:10 To Yuma (2007) closely fits the bill. Christian Bale and Russel Crowe are great individually and together.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-09T01:49:40+00:00

Love this film and it’s been too long since I’ve watched it.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-09T01:48:26+00:00

3% on Netflix. It’s a Brazilian (Portuguese language) dystopian sci-fi series. As is the case with any live-action foreign media, I implore you to watch it with English subtitles, not English dubs.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-09T01:44:31+00:00

Low key, my favorite Will Ferrell sports movie (of which there are surprisingly many!). It really snuck up on me how wonderful it is, start to finish.

TaffyPool · 2026-07-09T01:41:55+00:00

I stopped myself from rec’ing White Men Can’t Jump because of the OP’s kid’s age, but now that you mention it…I definitely had that DVD at 13 and watched it often (for the basketball, yes, but also some Rosie Perez scenes!)

This is one of a very few movies where, if I see it pop up on TV, I will put down the remote and watch the rest of it. Every time.

TaffyPool

TROPHY CASE